Nineteen-year-old Carolan DeMeuse of Marinette was hysterical when she found out her close friend Steven Drees had died from injuries he received in combat in Afghanistan.

DeMeuse decided to honor Drees by spearheading an effort to order red and blue silicone remembrance bracelets.The bracelets, which will be delivered Friday from an online company, bear the date of Drees' death June 28 and the name Steven Thomas Drees with a cross next to it.

Many people already have requested them through a Facebook memorial page set up for Drees; DeMeuse said she ordered about 500."He was such a happy person," DeMeuse said of what she remembered most about her friend. "He was smiling, so he kept everybody else smiling."

Robin Hook of Peshtigo attended the visitation Tuesday."It was very moving. They did a very nice job of honoring and respecting Steven's life and dedication to our country."

The mood was somber but respectful, and huge bouquets of flowers donated by well-wishers filled the gym, she said.

Every time I make chocolate chip cookies I'll think of him," she said, remembering Steven sneaking a few when he would visit for swimming in her backyard pool.

"He just had to do one flip off the railing," she said.

"We are blessed to have known him."

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Cori Kline, a teachers aide at Peshtigo High School, was shocked when she learned of Drees' death through a text message.

"Oh, my God," she recalled reacting.

"I just couldn't believe it."

She attended the funeral to say goodbye to Steven and be there for his family

"I think of Steven walking through the halls with a smile on his face," she said, adding he was fun to be around and proud to join the Army.

• • •

"He was very caring," said cousin Jennifer Van Beek.

Steven put blue bunny ears over his helmet and passed out candy to kids the morning before his mission, she said.

She last saw Steven at his high school graduation party a year ago.

"I used to baby-sit him when I was a kid. He grew up too fast," she said as tears ran down her face.

• • •

Gloria VanHefty wore a flag T-shirt that said "Freedom" as a flag draped from the back patio of her Peshtigo home.

She has five grandchildren and planned to attend Drees' funeral service and said she couldn't imagine what Drees' parents are going through.

"I pray to God I'll never have to (know). This is hard enough," she said.

• • •

Bob Messenger saw barricades and police at 7:25 a.m. when he drove by Peshtigo Middle/High School.

"That tells me it's going to be something really big, people are going to show their support," he said.

"The funeral is going to hit everyone hard."

• • •

Donna Krizenesky was one of hundreds of Peshtigo residents flying a flag at half-staff in Drees' honor.

"It happens all over but when it hits home you realize how close it is, what could happen and the heartache of it all," she said.

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